Many people have brand loyalties. I have a few myself. One of my biggest loyalties over the years has been to Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half. I have used the Land O’Lakes brand f-o-r-e-v-e-r! I would buy it with or without a coupon. If a good coupon came out, I’d stock up on the Land O’Lakes because the expiration date on the carton was always month or so out as the product is ultra pasteurized.
But, something strange started to happen sometime last year; I noticed my coffee didn’t taste “quite right” anymore. I put this down to the beans we were using. Maybe the roasting process was off and we were getting a bad batch? Or six?
Along about the same time, the Land O’Lakes coupons became scarce. I started buying full-fat un-ultra-pasturized half and half as it was less expensive than the Land O’Lakes, and my coffee was again delicious! So much for the bad batch of roasted coffee beans theory.
When we went down to Florida where dairy is crazy-expensive, I would buy whatever was the cheapest full or fat-free half and half. And let me tell you it was never Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half. That stuff cost a fortune down in St Augustine, and I have no idea why! Hubby and I had brought a bag of Tim Horton’s beans and two bags of Jamaican Blue down to Florida with us just to be certain we’d have enough coffee to get us through the month.
I told Hubby a few months ago I wasn’t into buying the Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half as much as I had found a local half and half I liked much more, and it was less money if there wasn’t a coupon out for the Land O’Lakes.
Fast forward to last week. Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half was on sale, and I was out of half and half, so I decided to buy it again.
I used it in my coffee on Sunday, and my coffee tasted a bit bitter. Now we have been using this bag of beans for two weeks, and I have not noticed anything bad about the coffee – quite the contrary I found it very smooth. But you never know, maybe Hubby did something different when he made coffee?
On Monday, I made coffee, used the Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half and again my coffee tasted terrible.
That was when I decided enough was enough, I had to face facts – either the Land O’Lakes had changed, or my taste buds had changed. Either way, the Land O’Lakes was no longer for me. I dumped the Land O’Lakes creamer down the drain right then and there, and used the Organic Valley half and half with the same pot of brewed coffee.
Ahhhhhhh delicious!
They say breaking up is hard to do, and I am afraid it is true in this case. Looks like this is the end of my love-affair with Land O’Lakes Fat Free Half and Half and I have to move on to something else.
Have you ever had to give up on a brand loyalty? What was it, and why?
Debb F says
I accidently bought the fat free LOL half and half and I agree it was bitter! I wonder what they are adding when they take the fat out because it tastes NASTY! I generally have found the ultra pastuerizing process might be what tastes nasty!
Ann says
Maybe Debb, but I didn’t notice it until last year. Think they could have completely changed or updated the process?
Ann
Shell says
I can’t think of one myself but my sister had to quit Kraft original bbq sauce when they changed the recipe and called it “improved”. She only bought that one for many many years, but now she hates it.
I always wondered what the heck is in fat free half and half anyway. I mean it has a lot of yummy tasting fat in it so how can they make it fat free? They finally have figured out it is not healthier anyway, so cheers to you!!!
Ann says
New Coke anyone?
Ann
Didi says
There is a “new Coke”? You jest… didn’t they already go that route a few years back and it was a total failure?
Ann says
Yeah that is the one I was talking about, Didi.
Ann
Didi says
I know you love your coffee too, lol!! I have to look into organic valley for hubby. In the morning I drink black no sugar only, but in the afternoon I like a bit of cream and sweetener in it, go figure that one out…
I use to love the Palmolive dish washing detergent. But these past few years, it just doesn’t hold up like it used to. It seems nothing is staying the same and all these improvements actually destroy the products instead of enhancing them. I wonder whose the brilliant tester?
Marie says
I am the same with Ajax, the suds don’t last. My daughter gave up her brand (can’t remember what it was) because it didn’t fight the grease like it used to. I tried the Gain dish and hated it. I am tolerating Palmolive, but I am open to anything name brand that is on sale, except Dawn (my husband says it leaves a lingering smell on the glassware). I will not get a generic, there has never been one that holds up to my expectations except to wash the car.
KimH says
Didi… its not that “weird” 😉 I drink my coffee black all the time these days… but when Im sick and I want coffee.. I want sugar & creamer in it on the heavy side like I used to drink my coffee years ago.. I think when you’re tired & burned out, sugar & cream is the way to go. 😉
Ann says
I can’t put sweetener in coffee. No idea why. I can drink black coffee if necessary. On the other hand, I can’t drink hot tea without sweetener and cream. Yup, I’m an odd one.
Ann
Didi says
Kimmie that makes sense!!! Ann, I can only drink my tea sweet & light too!!
KimH says
I like my hot tea clean or with C&S… Its all good! 😉
KimH says
Let me see… 1. I ♥ Organic Valley… and I won $100 from them last month for filling out a survey.. so just in case you see it & think its a sham.. its not.. ♥♥♥
Laundry Detergetnt… I used to love Serf!! Loved loved loved it.. but they changed the formula & my daughter & I both became allergic to it.. 🙁 That shut down my love for SERF. Do they still even make it? I dont buy laundry detergent anymore because we have years worth stockpiled… unless its free.. then I’ll take anything. 😉
Im seriously in the thinking about giving up my Scott Toilet brand love.. I PISSED off at them right now.. no pun intended. 😉 They’ve done some reworking on their rolls in the last year or two and have made the rolls smaller, they dont last near as long, and Im not happy about it… I might as well go buy Charmin and have cottony fluff up my butt. Sigh..
Ann says
I think they are all downsizing. My grandfather needed toilet paper last week, so I took a look at prices while buying for him. Scott NOT on sale was 1/2 price of the sale Charmin /50 sheets. It is crazy how much fluffy-softness costs.
Ann
Marie says
Noticed the same thing with paper towels. Anything under a dollar isn’t worth the number of sheets it doesn’t have!
Didi says
Hahahahaaa, Kimmie!! Fluffy white butt!! 😀
KimH says
OH yeah.. you got that right Girl.. haha
wendy d says
I agree that Charmin leaves one with a fluffy butt! Awful
I’m a Cottonelle fan but they are playing games with the roll size.
Anyone that reads your blog Ann knows that you are/were a LOL half and half fan!
I got some of those free dairy creamers from the dairy section.
I looked at the nutrition and decided I don’t want them even if they are free.
I broke my addiction to Timmies coffee with the wonderful cream.
I always wondered what it did to my cholesterol.
Actually without the cream I don’t think my cholesterol has actually improved. lol
Ann says
I broke my addiction to Timmies coffee with the wonderful cream.
OMG! I couldn’t! I moved to a large with the two cream (as opposed to a medium) and am very much enjoying it… you have a strong will, Wendy.
Ann
Lea Ann says
Cannot use Charmin….2 of us at work used it and got crotch rot….LOL We were itching, then I figured it out quick. 🙂
My one splurge in life is half and half, hate the fat free. I now buy the Byrne Dairy ultra-past. at Sam’s Club for $1.10 at qt…..killer price.
Ann- have you tried the Aldi brand of fat free? It is $1.49 there.
Ann says
I love the Byrne Dairy one! It is a lor cheaper at Dash’s than any of the creamers at Tops, so I almost always grab one when there.
I did try the Aldi’s one… same container colors as the LOL, so I was suspicious. It was ok. Not as “bad” as the Land O’Lakes, but no where near as good as the Organic Valley or Byrne Dairy half and half.
Ann
Liz says
For years, I only used Always brand – super loyal cause it worked just right. But habits eventually changed as the price of Always is just ridiculous. I only went back when they had the Radiant sales since it was a brand new item. Now of course, it’s back to high prices. It was hard to break up with the brand cause I felt it suited my needs best and Stayfree and Kotex just weren’t quite right. I got over it – cause now I pull out what I used to use (Always old stockpile) and hate it.
I always drink my coffee black. I am loyal to Starbucks cause I like my coffee dark. However, I will drink other stuff, although I just don’t really like it. I need to have a break up with Starbucks LOL.
Ann says
You know that is something I can relate to, Liz… I have a Stayfree loyalty which is fine because I have a two year (free) supply, but I do get that you like what you like.
Ann
Marie says
Dunkin Donuts. Years ago we loved their donuts when we’d go up north (D.C., Fredricksburg, Jersey). Fast forward to 2010 and we finally got one in town (closest was like 2 hrs away). It’s not the same. My husband thought it was a north and south thing. I think it’s the 0 trans fat oil everyone uses now. But, we still love their coffee.
Ann says
I think all the donut chains are the same way, Marie. You have to go local. We have a local chain that one donut is two servings (not according to them, according to me). The donuts are crazy expensive (Paula’s for those local), but oh are they GOOD!
Ann
Marie says
Never had a donut chin, but I’ll take your word for it, ha ha. Krispie Kreme didn’t change, but they did close the store in town and the one a town over. The ones they sell in the grocery stores look old compared to getting them hot off the line.
Amanda says
I have been using the Physician’s Formula Organic Wear mascara (the green leaf looking one) for over 2 years and swore by it but the past few months I have noticed that it is smudging under my eyes. I don’t know if it’s their fault or mine, but looks like I need to find a new favorite.
Hubby has loved Cinnamon Toast Crunch since he was a kid and it was always his favorite cereal but the past year or so, he said that it tastes different. I even called and asked them if they changed the formula recently and they said they haven’t. Either way, he is over CTC.